By Dan Frommer.From the archives.Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 7:42 pm.

10 new industries Apple could go into (but probably won’t)

Many speculate that Apple will eventually start making TVs: It’s a not-too-crazy extension of several Apple products, including the Apple TV software platform, the big-screen iMac, and the iTunes app and media stores.

Apple doesn’t frequently enter new markets, but when it does, it’s usually one that’s adjacent to something it already does. For example: It went into phones after it was good at making portable media players, and it went into advertising after it had millions of people using its apps on a daily basis.

For fun, I ran through ten new potential industries that Apple could enter, ranging widely in probability:

Industry

Why Apple would

Why Apple wouldn’t

Producing original movies or TV shows

With exclusive access to a few key series or films, Apple’s TV gadgets and iTunes store could get a boost and stronger lock-in.

Hits-driven business outside of Apple’s competency, there are probably easier and cheaper ways to sell devices, with higher ROI.

Servers

Apple makes the best consumer computers, why not make the best servers?

Already tried, didn’t really work. Servers are a cheap commodity with high failure rates, not a luxury good.

Furniture

Don’t you think that Jony Ive could design a nicer chair than the one you’re sitting on?